Academic Catalog

KINS 5: SPORTS & CINEMA

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2021
Units: 4
Hours: 4 lecture per week (48 total per quarter)
Advisory: Possible movie rental fee, as well as permission slip for those students under the age of 18.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Area I: Humanities
Transferable: CSU/UC
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Description

Examination of how the cultural, political, psychological and historical dimensions of sport and other forms of movement are illustrated and portrayed in feature films and documentaries. Representations of identity, power, performance, social justice, and the body are also analyzed within the art form.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Explain how sports and movement are generally portrayed in film.
  2. Relate the role of sport in American culture.
  3. Describe why sport films are an important genre in American culture.
  4. Describe the similarities between sport and film structure.
  5. Explain how race is portrayed in sport film.
  6. Discuss how gender is portrayed in sport film.
  7. Discuss how socio-economic status is portrayed in sport film.
  8. Compare and contrast the athletic opportunities made available based on ethnicity and gender.
  9. Examine movement in a variety of contexts.
  10. Effectively use basic methods for analyzing film.

Course Content

  1. Film analysis vocabulary
    1. Metaphor
    2. Theme
    3. Foreshadowing
    4. Narrative
    5. Cause and effect
    6. Plot and subplot
    7. Story
    8. Protagonist and antagonist
    9. Point of view
    10. Symbolism
  2. Theoretical strategies for critically analyzing sport and movement
    1. Recognizing themes within film
    2. The use of metaphors/symbolism in sport films
    3. Describing plot and subplot
    4. Understanding the representation of kinesiology in film
    5. Comparing and contrasting common ideology surrounding sport: gender, class, race, ability, disability, culture
  3. How film describes, defines and challenges key aspects of sport and movement
    1. Qualitative analysis of movement depicted on film
    2. Popular discourse about sport and movement
  4. The portrayal of ethnicity, culture, class, race and underserved communities in film
    1. Sport films and gender identification/gender barriers
    2. Sport films and politics
    3. Psychological aspects depicted in sport films
    4. Historical roots and dimensions of sport on film
    5. Psycho-social factors that limit sport and movement participation
    6. Racial bias in sport and in society
    7. Class and power struggles
    8. Overcoming disabilities to excel in sport

Lab Content

Not applicable.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

Computer or smart television.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Class discussion/participation
Class work
Exams/tests
Homework
Papers
Quizzes
Evaluation of student responses to prompt and interaction with fellow students

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Critique
Discussion
Online forums, discussion boards, video format, etc.

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Crosson, Seán. Sport and Film. 2013.

Although this text is older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, it remains a seminal text in this area of study.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Participation discussions.
  2. Responses to questions covering topics in particular films and continuing written dialogue with classmates.
  3. Papers on topics for assigned films.
  4. Essays on film themes such as sport participation influenced by socioeconomic status.
  5. Synthesis of historical and social relevance to sport in cinema.

Discipline(s)

Physical Education or Kinesiology